That second quote is very powerful. Often enough we proceed to higher usage of previous knowledge without understanding its foundations. Often enough, you really don't need to understand previous steps to make a leap to the next. That's simply progress. Taking the next logical step.

However, some have argued that with deriving foundational knowledge you attain a discipline and through this process the decisions you make about taking the next step are done completely differently. You sincerely evaluate whether to take that next step.